As the 112th edition of the Tour de France rolls out from Lille, Great Britain sends one of its most diverse squads in years. With a mix of Olympic medallists, stage hunters, GC lieutenants, and debutants, the 11 British riders on the startlist match last year’s record tally and represent a full generational spread from 22 to 39.
At one end stands Geraint Thomas, preparing for his 14th and final Tour. At the other are four debutants – Sam Watson, Sean Flynn, Lewis Askey and Joe Blackmore – all set to experience cycling’s biggest stage for the first time. There’s no Tom Pidcock and no Mark Cavendish, but that doesn’t mean Britain’s presence will be low-key. With the likes of Simon and Adam Yates riding in support of the race’s two headline favourites, and strong form from several names throughout the year, expect to see the Union Jack flying up the road plenty over the next three weeks.
Here’s a closer look at the 11 British riders taking on the Tour de France in 2025.
All 11 British riders in the 2025 Tour de France
Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers)
14th appearance | Winner in 2018 | 3 stage wins
This year marks the final Tour for Geraint Thomas, the 2018 champion and one of Britain’s most successful riders. At 39, he’s the oldest man in the race, making his Tour debut all the way back in 2007. After a long stretch as a GC mainstay and a vital part of Team Sky’s dominance, Thomas now takes on the role of mentor within a young Ineos squad. Still sharp when it matters, he’s targeting one last stage win to round off a remarkable career that has included three podiums and a central role in six winning teams.
Photo Credit: LaPresseSimon Yates (Visma – Lease a Bike)
9th appearance | 4th overall in 2023 | 2 stage wins | 1 white jersey
Simon Yates returns to the Tour as part of the powerhouse Visma mountain train supporting Jonas Vingegaard, fresh from winning the Giro d’Italia. He was 4th overall at last year’s Tour, and brings two stage wins and a white jersey from earlier editions. At 31, he has the experience and legs to play a pivotal role on the steepest slopes – and should Vingegaard falter, Yates may well be their strongest fallback.
Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
9th appearance | 3rd overall in 2023 | 1 stage win | 1 white jersey
Adam Yates was on the podium last year behind Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar, but once again takes up the role of mountain domestique for UAE. Having led the race and worn yellow in 2020 and 2023, he knows how to manage pressure. He enters his ninth Tour with full confidence and will work in tandem with João Almeida to control the tempo on climbs. A repeat top-10 is well within reach.
Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL)
2nd appearance | 39th overall in 2024
Oscar Onley made his Tour debut last year and impressed with a solid 39th overall. A pure climber with a fast finish, he’s won stages this season at both the Tour Down Under and Tour de Suisse. With GC not on the table, Onley will be one of Picnic-PostNL’s best hopes of a stage win from the breakaway – especially when the race hits the high mountains.
Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious)
5th appearance | 54th overall in 2022
Fred Wright lines up for his fifth straight Tour, still in search of that elusive stage win. A mainstay in breakaways, he came close to victory in 2022 and remains one of the most aggressive riders in the peloton. After crashing out last year, Wright is back with something to prove. With his move to Q36.5 confirmed for next season, this Tour could be his perfect send-off from Bahrain Victorious.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyJake Stewart (Israel-Premier Tech)
2nd appearance | DNF in 2024
Jake Stewart was forced to abandon on debut last year, but returns in 2025 full of confidence after a stage win at the Critérium du Dauphiné. His sprinting style favours tougher finishes, and with Pascal Ackermann also in the team, expect Stewart to lead the charge when the profiles get lumpy. He’s one of the most promising British finishers and will be motivated to deliver at least one big result.
Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers)
2nd appearance | 69th overall in 2022
Connor Swift has long been one of the most reliable domestiques in the British peloton. He raced his first Tour in 2022 with Arkéa and now returns with Ineos Grenadiers. His role is clear: protect team leaders on flat and transitional days and keep things calm in the bunch. Swift also has the engine to get in breaks if given the green light.
Photo Credit: GettySam Watson (Ineos Grenadiers)
Tour de France debut
Sam Watson enters his first Tour in sensational form, having just claimed the British national title and overall victory at 4 Jours de Dunkerque. The 23-year-old only joined Ineos this season but has already delivered results. As a fast finisher, he’ll be a useful option for reduced sprint days and a great asset for stage-hunting efforts.
Sean Flynn (Picnic-PostNL)
Tour de France debut
Another debutant and another Scot, Sean Flynn joins Oscar Onley in flying the Saltire at the Tour. Flynn brings versatility and energy to the Dutch squad. He’ll likely be a key support rider in flat stages and a candidate for rolling breakaways. His inclusion marks the first time two Scots have started the Tour together in decades.
Photo Credit: GettyLewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ)
Tour de France debut
Lewis Askey has earned his Tour debut after a breakout spring which included a GC podium at 4 Jours de Dunkerque and top finishes in tough uphill sprints. He prefers terrain that suits punchy classics riders, and Groupama-FDJ may well look to give him leadership on stages that don’t suit their climbers. A move to Israel-Premier Tech is on the cards for 2026, but before that, he’s keen to make a mark here.
Joe Blackmore (Israel-Premier Tech)
Tour de France debut
Joe Blackmore makes his debut at just 22 and is widely seen as Britain’s next GC prospect. The 2024 Tour de l’Avenir winner was fast-tracked into IPT’s Tour squad after strong spring results. Though he’s not here to ride GC, he’ll learn quickly and could feature in breakaways during the second and third weeks. This is just the start of what could be a very big career.
From Olympic champions to Tour debutants, the 2025 British squad is rich in variety and ambition. Thomas will say farewell. The Yates twins will ride shoulder-to-shoulder with favourites. And the next wave – Onley, Watson, Blackmore – will chase experience, exposure, and, if all goes right, that elusive stage win.
